The Ca' Rome' 2015 Barolo Cerretta is a pretty wine with good energy and intensity. The bouquet is redolent of bright fruit with lots of cherry and cassis that reinforce the inner freshness in this Barolo from Serralunga d'Alba. That zesty quality comes as a happy surprise given the sunny and warm vintage. Indeed, you'd almost guess that this wine came from a cooler growing season instead, thanks to that menthol freshness that marks the close. Some 8,000 bottles were made.

A suave style, with a velvety texture and refined tannins setting the stage for macerated plum, cherry, menthol and sweet spice flavors. Balanced and approachable, firming up on the tobacco-tinged finish. Best from 2023 through 2042. 400 cases made, 75 cases imported.

The 2015 Barolo Cerretta has a bit more tannic backbone and bite than the Rapèt, but it, too, is fairly open. Leather, smoke, black cherry, menthol, macerated cherry and licorice add to a feeling of gravitas and power. The tannins could use a year or two to soften, but here, too, I get a sense the wine will develop on a relatively fast track.